NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) — Central Park’s Great Lawn reopened on Saturday, months after it sustained severe damage during 2023’s Global Citizen Festival and was prematurely closed to the public.
The Great Lawn—12 acres of greenspace located at the precise geographical center of Central Park—was closed earlier than usual due to the damage it suffered in September due to the heavy rain before, during and after the event.
Each year the Great Lawn is typically closed from November to April for maintenance.
Following the festival, the lawn damage was assessed, and Global Citizen’s Board of Directors agreed to pay for all the repairs that were requested.
“The Great Lawn is now ready for use by all New Yorkers and visitors to New York City, as well as a wide range of events throughout the warm-weather months,” a joint press release from NYC Parks and Global Citizen said.
Despite the damages caused in 2023, the release confirmed that the 12th annual Global Citizen Festival will be held on the lawn on Sept. 28.
“Annually, we have welcomed 60,000 global citizens to the Great Lawn, who have played a crucial role in our mission, and we look forward to coming back again on September 28 to drive more action and commitments towards ending extreme poverty,” Co-Founder and CEO of Global Citizen Hugh Evans said.
Global Citizen, an organization focused on ending extreme poverty, holds the festival in September to coincide with the UN General Assembly in New York City.
Tickets are obtained at no cost, but instead “can be earned by taking action to create a world where everyone’s basic needs are fulfilled.” These actions could include things like signing petitions and contacting elected officials.
Ticketing and lineup information will be released in coming months, the organization said.
"Our public greenspaces are where New Yorkers gather for connection, celebration, and release, and that proud tradition continues as we welcome Global Citizen Festival back to Central Park this September,” NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue said.
“The Global Citizen Festival is more than just a good time for music lovers—it’s a call to action, inspiring us to be active citizens of the world in the fight against poverty, inequity, and climate change,” Donoghue added.
Despite criticism of the festival by NYC Councilmember Gale Brewer following the Great Lawn’s early closure last year, it will return this fall with written support from Councilmembers Erik Bottcher and Shaun Abreu.